Australian Open: Williams Vs. Williams – Serena Beats Venus

Re-writing history, Serena Williams beat her sister Venus in straight sets to win her seventh Australian Open and an Open-era record 23rd Grand Slam singles title today.

When Serena beat her older sibling in the Australian Open final 6-4 6-4, she collected a 23rd grand slam title to surpass Steffi Graf for the Open Era lead.

The American regains the number one ranking from German Angelique Kerber. Australia’s Margaret Court, with 24, is the only player still ahead of Serena in terms of Grand Slam singles titles.

Serena paid tribute to her sister, who was playing her first major final for eight years, saying: “There’s no way I would be at 23 without her. There’s no way I’d be at one without her. She’s my inspiration.”

Venus, who at 36 was the oldest Australian Open finalist in the Open era said, “Congratulations Serena on number 23, I have been right there with you, some of them I lost right there against you. It’s been an awesome win. I’m enormously proud of you.”